Portable information terminal having expandable data input unit

PRIORITY

0001This application claims priority to an application entitled “Potable Information Terminal Having Expandable Data Input Unit” filed in the Korean Industrial Property Office on Sep. 4, 2002 and assigned Serial No. 2002-53177, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

00021. Field of the Invention

0003The present invention relates to a portable information terminal, and more particularly to a portable information terminal for inputting complicated data in an easy convenient manner.

00042. Description of the Related Art

0005In general, “a portable information terminal” refers to a device which a user can carry with him/her to perform wireless communication with a corresponding communication partner. This portable communication device is classified into various types based on its geometry. For example, a wireless terminal is classified into a bar-type, a flip-type or folder-type in accordance with its geometrical appearance. The bar-type wireless terminal is generally constructed as a single housing having a bar shape. The flip-type or folder type wireless terminal typically has a folder that is pivotably coupled to a single bar-shaped housing by a hinge device to make the folder to be foldable. This configuration of aforementioned bar-type, flip-type or folder-type wireless terminal may easily be understood by those skilled in the art.

0006Furthermore, the portable wireless terminal may be classified into a neck wearable type or a wrist wearable type based on a use position or the way in which a user puts it on. The neck wearable type wireless terminal is worn around the neck using a string, while the wrist wearable type wireless terminal is worn around the wrist.

0007Furthermore, the wireless terminal may be classified into a rotation-type or a sliding-type based on an opened and closed way thereof. In the rotation-type wireless terminal, two housings are coupled to each other in a manner in which one housing is capable of being rotatably opened or closed with respect to the other. In the sliding-type wireless terminal, two housings are coupled to each other in a manner in which one housing is capable of being slidably opened or closed with respect to the other through a sliding movement. These foregoing various classified wireless terminals are easily understood by those skilled in the art.

0008Meanwhile, the aforementioned conventional portable wireless terminals are typically provided with a data input/output unit, respectively. A data input unit typically employs a key pad through which data are input by pressing the key pad. This may also be true for a touch pad or a touch screen. Moreover, a data output unit generally makes use of a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) for outputting data.

0009Typically, the key pad used to input data combines a plurality of keys. These keys include numeric keys, character keys, sending keys, end key, functional keys, and the like. In addition, the keys are generally held in place on a top surface of the housing of the portable wireless terminal, and the number of keys is from 15 to 20. The keys are exposed on the top surface the portable wireless terminal so that a user can push them with his/her finger to input desired data.

0010However, the reality is that users have increasingly higher demands for information and that it is very inconvenient for users to input complicated data using the foregoing number of keys, within the Internet or multimedia environment. The conventional portable wireless terminal has shown a tendency not only to become smaller and lighter but also to reduce dimensions of the housing. This tendency places restrictions on the number of keys that can be set on the terminal. To solve this problem, a voice recognition device or a separate data input unit has been used.

0011In other cases, the number of keys are increased to allow inputting of complicated data. This increase in the number of keys, however, tends to increase the dimensions of the housing of the conventional portable wireless terminal. Therefore, a problem arises in that the portability of a conventional portable wireless terminal is compromised.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

0012Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a portable information terminal having an expandable data input unit, in which a greater number of keys is provided without increasing the dimensions of the housing in comparison with those of the prior art, and thereby having the capability of inputting complicated data easily as well as maintaining portability.

0013It is another object that the present invention to provide a portable information terminal having an expandable data input unit which can be adapted for a multimedia environment.

0014In order to accomplish these objects, according to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a portable information terminal comprising: a main housing having first and second top surfaces formed in a step form, the second top surface being formed lower than the first top surface; a data input housing disposed on the main housing in a foldable manner and having top and bottom surfaces formed parallel to each other in a flat form; a hinge for joining the data input housing to the main housing in a rotatable manner; and an input/output unit having a liquid crystal display mounted on the main housing, a first key pad provided on the second top surface of the main housing and having a first plurality of keys, a second key pad provided on the top surface of the data input housing and having a second plurality of keys, and a third key pad provided on the bottom surface of the data input housing having a third plurality of keys. In one aspect, the keys of the second key pad are simpler than the keys of the first key pad and the keys of the third key pad.

0015Further, according to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a portable information terminal comprising: a main housing having first and second top surfaces formed in a step form, the second top surface being formed lower than the first top surface; a folder disposed on the main housing in a foldable manner; a first hinge for joining the folder to the main housing in a rotatable manner so as to open or close the folder relative to the main housing and having an axis formed in a transverse direction relative to the main housing; first and second data input auxiliary housings disposed on the main housing in a foldable manner, respectively, each of data input auxiliary housings having top and bottom surfaces formed parallel to each other in a flat form; second and third hinges for joining the first and second data input auxiliary housings to the main housing in a rotatable manner so as to open or close the data input housings relative to the main housing and having axes formed in a longitudinal direction relative to the main housing; and an input/output unit having a liquid crystal display mounted on the folder, a first key pad provided on the first top surface of the main housing having a first plurality of keys, a second key pad provided on the second top surface of the main housing and having a second plurality of keys, a third key pad provided on the top surface of the first data input auxiliary housing and having a third plurality of keys, a fourth key pad provided on the bottom surface of the first data input auxiliary housing and having a fourth plurality of keys, a fifth key pad provided on the top surface of the second data input auxiliary housing and having a fifth plurality of keys, and a sixth key pad provided on the bottom surface of the second data input auxiliary housing and having a sixth plurality of keys.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0016The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

0017<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a perspective view of a portable information terminal with a data input housing closed with respect to a main housing according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

0018<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a perspective view in which the data input housing and main housing shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> are opened to each other completely;

0019<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a top plan view of the data input housing and main housing shown <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>;

0020<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a perspective view of a portable information terminal with a folder closed according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

0021<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a perspective view of the portable information terminal shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, in which the folder is opened completely;

0022<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a perspective view of the portable information terminal shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, in which first and second data input auxiliary housings are opened completely.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

0023Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description of the present invention, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present invention rather unclear.

0024As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 to 3</figref>, a portable information terminal according to a first embodiment of the present invention comprises a main housing <b>10</b>, a data input housing <b>12</b> disposed on the main housing <b>10</b> in a foldable manner, and a hinge <b>14</b> for joining the data input housing <b>12</b> to the main housing <b>10</b> in a pivotable manner. Specifically, the main housing <b>10</b> includes a top surface in a step form and a bottom surface <b>10</b><i>b </i>in a plane form. The top surface of the main housing <b>10</b> is divided into a first top surface <b>10</b><i>a </i>having a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) <b>110</b>, a second top surface <b>10</b><i>c </i>having a first key pad <b>112</b>. The first key pad <b>112</b> is provided with a first plurality of keys which are aligned with each other. The main housing <b>10</b> takes a step form with the second top surface <b>10</b><i>c </i>formed lower than the second top surface <b>10</b><i>a </i>at a given depth.

0025The data input housing <b>12</b> takes a flat form, having a top surface <b>12</b><i>a </i>and a bottom surface <b>12</b><i>b</i>. The top surface <b>12</b><i>a </i>of the data input housing <b>12</b> is provided with a second key pad <b>120</b> having a second plurality of keys. The bottom surface <b>12</b><i>b </i>of the data input housing <b>12</b> is provided with a third key pad <b>122</b> having a third plurality of keys. The keys of the second key pad <b>120</b> are fewer in comparison with the keys of the first key pad <b>112</b> and in comparison with the keys of the third key pad <b>122</b>.

0026When the data input housing <b>12</b> is positioned on the second top surface <b>10</b><i>c</i>, that is to say closed relative to the main housing <b>10</b>, the first key pad <b>112</b> and the third key pad <b>122</b> are hidden from view and in a position opposite to each other, while the second key pad <b>120</b> is revealed. However, when the data input housing <b>12</b> is opened relative to the main housing <b>10</b>, the first key pad <b>112</b> and the third key pad <b>122</b> are revealed to a user.

0027The hinge <b>14</b> acts to join the data input housing <b>12</b> to the main housing <b>10</b> in a pivotable manner, being formed between a front end <b>10</b><i>d </i>of the main housing <b>10</b> and a rear end <b>12</b><i>c </i>of the data input housing <b>12</b>. Furthermore, the hinge <b>14</b> allows the data input housing <b>12</b> to be opened up to the angle of 180° so that the second top surface <b>10</b><i>c </i>of the main housing <b>10</b> can be positioned in flush with the bottom surface <b>12</b><i>b. </i>

0028The first and third key pads <b>112</b> and <b>122</b> comprise various keys in combination with various kinds of keys, such as character keys, numeric keys, function keys and the like, while the second key pad <b>120</b> comprises various keys, simpler than those of the first or third key pad in combination with an application select key, a menu key and the like.

0029Alternatively, the LCD <b>110</b> may be replaced with a touch screen. When a touch screen is employed instead of the LCD <b>110</b>, an existing stylus (not shown) may be used together.

0030Usually, the portable information terminal is used with the data input housing <b>12</b> closed (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>). When the portable information terminal is needed to input the more complicated data, the portable information terminal is used under a condition in which the data input housing <b>12</b> is opened completely (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>).

0031The construction of the portable information terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 4 to 6</figref>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 4 to 6</figref> illustrates an example of a folder-type portable information terminal. This portable information terminal comprises a main housing <b>20</b>, a folder <b>22</b> disposed on the main housing in a foldable manner, a first hinge <b>210</b> for joining the folder <b>22</b> to the main housing <b>20</b> in a pivotable manner so as to open or close the folder <b>22</b> relative to the main housing <b>20</b>, first and second data input auxiliary housings <b>24</b> and <b>26</b> disposed on the main housing <b>20</b> in a foldable manner, and second and third hinges <b>21</b> and <b>23</b> for joining the first and second data input auxiliary housings <b>24</b> and <b>26</b> to the main housing <b>20</b> in a pivotable manner so as to open or close the housings <b>24</b> and <b>26</b> relative to the main housing <b>20</b>. The second and third hinges <b>21</b> and <b>23</b> have an identical structure in which they are symmetrical to each other and spaced apart by a given distance. An axis A<b>21</b> of the second hinge <b>21</b> is perpendicular to an axis A<b>2</b> of the first hinge. An axis A<b>22</b> of the third hinge <b>23</b> is also perpendicular to an axis A<b>2</b> of the first hinge, being parallel to and spaced apart from the axis A<b>21</b> of the second hinge <b>21</b>.

0032The main housing <b>20</b> includes a first top surface <b>20</b><i>a</i>, a second top surface <b>20</b><i>c </i>formed lower than the first top surface <b>20</b><i>a </i>at a given depth, and a side surface <b>20</b><i>b</i>. The first and second data input auxiliary housings <b>24</b> and <b>26</b> are positioned on the second top surface <b>20</b><i>c </i>when the housings <b>24</b> and <b>26</b> are closed relative to the main housing <b>20</b>. The first top surface <b>20</b><i>a </i>is arranged with a first key pad <b>200</b> having a first plurality of keys, while the second top surface <b>20</b><i>c </i>is arranged with a second key pad <b>204</b> having a second plurality of keys. A connection jack <b>202</b> into which a plug of a microphone is removably inserted is provided on the lower end of the main housing <b>20</b>.

0033The folder <b>22</b> has a top surface <b>22</b><i>a </i>and a bottom surface <b>22</b><i>b</i>, of which the bottom surface <b>22</b><i>b </i>is provided with a speaker <b>220</b> and a display <b>222</b>. The display <b>222</b> may employ an existing LCD.

0034The first data input auxiliary housing <b>24</b> has a top surface <b>24</b><i>a </i>and a bottom surface <b>24</b><i>b</i>, of which the top surface <b>24</b><i>a </i>is arranged with a third key pad <b>240</b> having a third plurality of keys, and the bottom surface <b>24</b><i>b </i>is arranged with a fourth key pad <b>242</b> having a fourth plurality of keys.

0035The second data input auxiliary housing <b>26</b> has a top surface <b>26</b><i>a </i>and a bottom surface <b>26</b>b, of which the top surface <b>26</b><i>a </i>is arranged with a fifth key pad <b>260</b> having a fifth plurality of keys, and the bottom surface <b>26</b><i>b </i>is arranged with a sixth key pad <b>262</b> having a sixth plurality of keys.

0036As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, when the first and second data input auxiliary housings <b>24</b> and <b>26</b> are closed, the first key pad <b>200</b> is exposed toward a user together with the third and fifth key pads <b>240</b> and <b>260</b>, while the second key pad <b>204</b> is in a maximal close proximity to or in contact with the fourth and sixth key pads <b>242</b> and <b>262</b>. Moreover, the first and second data input auxiliary housings <b>24</b> and <b>26</b> rest on the second top surface <b>20</b><i>c </i>of the main housing <b>20</b>. Each of the first and second data input auxiliary housings <b>24</b> and <b>26</b> has a thickness basically identical to that between the first and second top surfaces <b>20</b><i>a </i>and <b>20</b><i>c </i>of the main housing <b>20</b>.

0037As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, when the first and second data input auxiliary housings <b>24</b> and <b>26</b> are opened, the first and second key pads <b>200</b> and <b>204</b> are exposed to a user together with the fourth and sixth key pads <b>242</b> and <b>262</b>, thus enabling the use of all these key pads. The second top surface <b>20</b><i>c </i>of the main housing <b>20</b> is flush with each of the bottom surfaces <b>24</b><i>b </i>and <b>26</b><i>b </i>of the first and second data input auxiliary housings <b>24</b> and <b>26</b>. For example, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> illustrates operation in a normal phone operation mode, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> illustrates operation in a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) operation mode.

0038While the invention has been shown and described with reference to various embodiments thereof, it will be understood by one skilled in the art that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

0039As seen from the foregoing, the present invention allows more keys to be mounted on the housings without increasing the dimensions of entire housings in, comparison to the existing housings, so that any user can conveniently input complicated data as well as continue to enjoy the device's portability.